Amenities at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort: The Settlement
By Dave Shute
(For the first page of this review of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, click here.)
THE SETTLEMENT AREA AT DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT
In the Settlement at the very north end of Fort Wilderness, you’ll find a shop, Pioneer Hall, where the wonderful Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is found, and also the restaurant Trail’s End, a bar, a takeout dining venue, and other amenities.
CONSTRUCTION IN THE SETTLEMENT AREA AT DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT
The under-construction new Disney Vacation Club resort, Reflections, has taken out the western area of the Settlement.
Gone–at least for now–are Mickey’s Backyard Barbecue, the blacksmith shop, and the pony rides. Instead you get construction walls.
Gone at my last visit, but soon to re-open, is the Tri-Circle D Ranch, where Disney’s draft horses are stabled.
That’s the new stable peeking above the construction wall.
DINING IN THE SETTLEMENT AREA AT DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT
Fort Wilderness is really built for people who cook most of their on-resort meals in their cabin or campsite, not for dining in its facilities, but Trail’s End (and its bar, Crockett’s Tavern) is easy to get into.
In contrast, the storied Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue can sell out months ahead, so you typically can’t just show up at it and dine.
Here’s the reviews of each of these dining venues from our book from our book, The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2020
A full review of Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is here.
You can find the current menu for Trail’s End here.
Crockett’s Tavern (above) serves both drinks and appetizers. The current menu is here.
A final, simpler option is P & J’s Southern Takeout. The menu for P & J’s is here.
OTHER AMENITIES IN THE SETTLEMENT AREA AT DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT
Also in the Settlement area is another shop, thinner on food and much thinner on camping gear than the other Fort Wilderness shop at the Meadow.
…and various horse-drawn rides.
There’s also at times a bit of an opportunity to wound yourself woodworking and drinking.
Beyond all this at the very northern end of the Settlement is a lovely beach, Clementine Beach.
This beach used to be largely to the west, but that’s gone to Reflections.
The beach now stretches to the east, towards the old Marshmallow Marsh.
In this area you’ll also find a marina.
…and a dock where you catch one of the two boat routes that operate from here–one to the Magic Kingdom, and the other to the two other resorts on Bay Lake, the Wilderness Lodge and the Contemporary Resort. The Magic Kingdom boat takes 12-15 minutes, and operates every 10-20 minutes.
For those aiming to get to the Magic Kingdom before rope drop, usually the best strategy is to take the boat to the Contemporary and walk from there, as the Magic Kingdom boat often does not begin operating until 30 minutes before open.
(Transportation to the other parks is via the Outpost.)
THE POOLS AT DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS RESORT
This review continues here!
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW OF DISNEY’S FORT WILDERNESS
- Overview of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Amenities at Fort Wilderness: The Outpost and The Meadow
- Amenities at Fort Wilderness: The Settlement
- The Pools at Fort Wilderness
OTHER KEY PAGES FOR WHERE TO STAY AT DISNEY WORLD
- Where to stay–the Basics
- Where first-timers should stay
- Reviews of all the Disney World resorts, based on my 150+ stays in them
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Twitter or Pinterest!!
1 comment
We are doing early morning magic October 16 and was wondering if the boat to Contemporary transports early enough to get there and walk to Magic Kingdom by 745 am? Thank You!
Leave a Comment | Ask a Question | Note a Problem